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HealthCalling

Five Big Benefits of Couples Workouts

Exercising, for some, is the best part of the day; but for others, even
the thought makes them cringe and put it off as long as possible. For
those who lack the motivation to move their bodies on a regular basis,
and even for the impeccably sculpted specimens that practically live at
the gym, a new trend is mixing up exercise routines for all: couples workouts.
They involve teamwork and the reliance on your better half, adding a ton
of fun (and a little romance) to the average gym routine. Exercising with
your significant other offers a long list of benefits that makes it well
worthwhile to lace up your tennis shoes, whether it’s your favorite
thing or the last thing you want to do. Here are our top five reasons
to start couples workouts:

1. Automatic Accountability

The last thing anyone in a relationship wants to do is disappoint his or
her significant other. Rather, there is an innate need to impress them,
and that thought in itself can be all the motivation you need to hit the
gym with your best bud. If it isn’t, though, getting up with the
alarm just got easier since the one you love is depending on you, and
will definitely call you out on your laziness if you hit snooze again.
This accountability transfers right into the gym routine as well, pushing
and encouraging each other to get the best workout possible.

2. Sweat Together, Stay Together

Research shows that certain activities requiring teamwork improve your
emotional bond. Lifting weights in sync, matching steps or maintaining
a rhythm together while running, and slinging a medicine ball back and
forth are all actions considered nonverbal mimicry, which create feelings
of a stronger bond with your partner. The key to unlocking that bond lies
in coordinating your actions at all stages of your workout routine. In
addition, those feelings of cooperation and cohesion can reduce the number
of arguments between you, as regular exercise also lowers stress, releases
tension, and encourages better sleep at night.

3. No More Food Fights

When your fitness and dietary goals are not aligned, what you eat every
day can be a breeding ground for disharmony. If she is in peak shape and
wants to eat more kale, but he just wants pizza and the TV remote, planning
your meals (and the day’s activities) together will become a problem.
Since the primary reason for exercising is to improve health and fitness,
making the necessary dietary changes becomes easier when your goals are
completely in sync. An added benefit to this: you now have a dedicated
accountability partner when it comes to making great food choices every day.

4. Get a Performance Boost

As previously mentioned, impressing your romantic partner when you know
they’re watching pushes you to do your absolute best. When their
eyes are on you, the innate desire to work out harder becomes tough to
ignore. This means more speed, more energy output, and more motivation
to increase the difficulty of your workout routine, which also means results to match.

5. Turn Up The Heat

It’s no secret that exercise improves the quality of sex, but it
can also improve the quality of intimacy. Physical activity produces symptoms
of arousal, such as sweaty hands, a racing pulse, and shortness of breath,
all of which mimic the thrill of romance – an easy mood to capitalize
on. In addition, working out improves blood flow, and can protect against
erectile dysfunction. Add a healthy dose of the endorphins that physical
activity causes, and your fitness goals may include getting a full body
workout without ever leaving the bedroom.

Workout routines for couples are easy to incorporate at home or the gym,
as long as both partners are willing to commit to the lifestyle change
and the right equipment to suit your shared routine is available to you.
The list of benefits to working out together doesn’t end here, either!

What other perks have you discovered while exercising with your romantic
partner? Share a comment below.

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as medical advice or as a diagnosis. Please get in touch with your primary
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